Nurse Manager Resume Writing Tips and Sample

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Written by Diana Campion, MSN, APRN, ANP-C Education Development Nurse, Content Writer, IntelyCare
A nurse is confident in their nurse manager resume before an interview.

Congratulations on taking the first steps toward applying for a nurse manager position! As you embark on this exciting endeavor, we’re here to help you each step of the way.

If you’re looking to craft a resume that distinguishes you from other candidates, you’re in the right place. Our nurse manager resume writing tips, along with our sample, will aid you in preparing a standout nursing resume that highlights your professional expertise and propels your career forward.

Tips for Resume Writing

Creating a tailored nurse manager cover letter and resume are essential for leaving a lasting impression on recruiters and hiring managers. It’s your opportunity to showcase your nursing leadership and management skills. These pointers can help your resume writing go faster and smoother.

Develop Your Resume Strategy

Follow these tips to prepare your resume so it’s ready for review from the hiring team:

  • Compile a comprehensive list of your nursing school graduation dates, work history, and the expiration dates of your nursing licenses and certifications.
  • Identify your leadership achievements that have made notable impacts. Include these accomplishments with brief but specific details about their positive effects on the nursing staff, patient outcomes, and the organization.
  • Include keywords that recruiters will be looking for in your nurse resume by creating a word cloud, which is a visual representation of words. Simply copy and paste the job posting into a word cloud generator, which will display the most frequently used words and phrases from the posting.
  • Customize your resume to align with the requirements outlined in each specific nurse manager job description, emphasizing the requested skills and qualifications.
  • Seek the assistance of a detail-oriented individual who can proofread your resume to identify any errors that might create a negative first impression.

Organize Your Nurse Manager Resume

Every great nurse resume includes the following sections as outlined below. Allocate approximately one page for every decade of relevant work experience. However, it’s crucial to keep the resume concise and not exceed two pages in length.

Emphasize Your Nurse Manager Skills

A nurse manager must possess a specialized skill set, which they’ve refined through years of experience at the bedside and through leadership opportunities. Here are the top five nurse manager skills that complement this role that you can highlight on your resume:

  • Adaptability: Nurse managers must not only adapt to the transition into the role, but also changes in relationships, mindset, and the dynamic healthcare field.
  • Commitment to excellence: Nurse managers should demonstrate commitment to excellence and explain how new policies benefit patients.
  • Effective communication: Nurse managers provide clear and consistent communication to earn respect and set expectations for nurses.
  • Nursing expertise: Nurse managers should have the clinical acumen to understand how their decisions impact their staff and patients.
  • Objective decision making: Good nurse managers make decisions impartially, even if it may make some people unhappy.

Reviewing nurse manager resume examples can help you brainstorm ideas for showcasing your professional journey. If you are having trouble, look to related examples, such as our director of nursing resume, for inspiration.

Nursing Manager Resume Sample

Lelani Kamaka, BSN, RN

Flowertown, PA

555-555-5555 | lkamaka@email.com | linkedin.com/lkamaka

Objective

Highly skilled and motivated nurse with seven years of experience seeking an entry-level nurse manager position. Committed to improving patient care and fostering a positive work environment through effective leadership, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills.

Education

Flowertown University, College of Nursing, Flowertown, PA, 20XX

Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Work Experience

Charge Nurse, Whitman Hospital, Flowertown, PA, June 20XX–Present

Telemetry Unit

  • Managed a 20-bed telemetry floor, leading a team of nurses and ensuring efficient workflow.
  • Provided support to staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintained open communication, and promoted a nurturing work culture — decreased turnover by 20%.
  • Actively participated in improving unit workflow and implementing changes to enhance patient care — decreased length of stay by 17%.

Clinical Nurse, Wald Hospital, Flowertown, PA, May 20XX–May 20XX

Labor & Delivery Unit

  • Provided high-quality, compassionate care to peri- and post-natal patients and their infants.
  • Served as the President of the Quality Assurance Committee, oversaw patient satisfaction surveys, and implemented improvements per feedback — increased overall scores by 30%.
  • Collaborated with management to interpret data and make evidence-based changes to enhance the patient experience.

Clinical Nurse, Dix Hospital, Flowertown, PA July 20XX–April 20XX

Medical – Surgical Unit

  • Delivered compassionate and evidence-based care to patients with diverse medical and surgical conditions, including pre-and post-operative care to promote recovery and comfort.
  • Collaborated with the healthcare team to ensure prompt and efficient patient care, including coordinating interdisciplinary rounds and facilitating smooth transitions of care.

Skills

Strong leadership; Teamwork; Exceptional conflict resolution and communication skills, Detail-oriented; Organized; Adaptable; Resilient; Empathetic and compassionate; Patient-centered.

Licenses and Certifications

  • Pennsylvania RN License, Exp. 04/30/20XX
  • AHA ACLS AHA Certification, Exp. 09/30/20XX
  • AHA BLS Certification, Exp. 09/30/20XX

How Much Does a Nurse Manager Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies nurse managers under medical and health services managers. The average salary for medical and health services managers is $134,440 per year. The states that pay the most for these roles include:

  • New York
  • Washington, DC
  • Delaware
  • New Jersey
  • Massachusetts

Are You Ready to Set the Course for Your Next Career Adventure?

These nurse manager resume writing tips and example provide the necessary tools to create an impressive resume. Once completed, continue your journey towards your ideal position by searching for nurse management jobs on IntelyCare and applying today.